Fauquier County Tapscotts - John Thomas Tapscott Sr.

John Thomas Tapscott Sr. was Cordelia’s final child, at least as far as we know. John was likely born 25 Dec 1871, a date derived from the year corresponding to his age in the 1880 census and from the day and month on his grave marker. Like many, John knocked some years off his age as he grew older, and a corresponding, but erroneous, birth year appears on his grave marker.

On 18 Aug 1896 John married Reburta Tapscott in Fauquier Co. She is named as “Roberta” in the Marriage Record; however, her name is given as “Reburta” in a number of other records, including newspaper articles and her grave marker. Reburta and John were first cousins once removed. Reburta was born to Edmond A. Tapscott, probably in April 1876, though her grave marker gives a year of 1877. But, as we noted before, grave markers and other death records often have inaccurate birth dates. Edmond, about whom we will hear more later, was a son of Elizabeth Percifull. 

John had to return to Fauquier Co to marry, for he had started working for the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind in Washington, DC in 1890. Chartered in 1857, the institute became known as Gallaudet College in 1894 and was renamed Gallaudet University in 1986. John, who started work as a janitor and ended up as the chief engineer, worked fifty-three years for Gallaudet, and was the first of at least nine Fauquier Co Tapscotts who worked at the college. And two of Reburta’s nephews went there as students.

To recognize the Tapscotts' contributions to the development of the College, a dinner was held in their honor 6 Feb 1981 on campus. Friends and members of the Tapscott family, as well as Gallaudet administrators, deans, and community relations personnel attended. The dinner was hosted by President and Mrs. Edward C. Merrill. To recognize the Tapscotts, a proclamation signed by President Merrill announced that the campus road in front of historic College Hall would be named “Tapscott Street.”

Certificate naming “Tapscott Street.” (Source: Angela Doores Robinson.) Later there would also be a “Tapscott Plaza Gateway.”

                  Tapscott Street                                      Tapscott Plaza Gateway

Members of the Tapscott family at the honorary dinner. Left to Right, Back Row: John Benjamin (“Jack”) Boyd Jr, Cheryl Tapscott Robertson, Norma Tapscott Boyd, Carolyn Tapscott Peoples, Theresa Tapscott Alston, Sandra Marie Tapscott Dupree, Karen Tapscott Vinson, Richard J. Alston Sr. Middle Row: Edmond A. Tapscott, Phyllis Jane Holland Tapscott, Elnora Maria Belcher Tapscott, Natalie Tapscott Wood, Tamara Tapscott, Raymond James (“Bo”) Tapscott, Elmer George Tapscott Sr. Front Row: Cynthia Anita Tapscott, Mary Elizabeth (“Momma Epie”) Colvin Tapscott, Dorothy (“Dot”) Logan Colvin Tapscott. (Gallaudet Today, Spring 1981),

In 1979 and 1981, the university magazine, Gallaudet Today, published three articles about the Tapscotts and their contributions.

John and Reburta lived out their lives in DC, where they raised five kids—Viola Adelia (31 Oct 1897–19 Jul 1956), John Thomas Jr. (16 Sep 1901-27 Dec 1961), Raymond James Sr., Isaiah Eugene (10 Apr 1908–6 May 1962), and Eugene Adolph (16 Feb 1910–13 Apr 1973).